Desertification Flashcards
What is a desert?
An area that receives less than 250mm of rainfall per year
Is Antartica a desert?
Yes, it doesn’t have to be sandy as long as it doesn’t rain a lot
Where in the world are the deserts approximately?(Hint: between North and South of the equator)
30N and 30S from the equator
What is the maximum temperature and in what month?
Around 45* in July
What is the minimum temperature and what month?
About 5* in January
In what season does it rain?
Winter
How do cacti survive in hot deserts?
They have long root systems to gather water from far away, they are tall so can store the water and thick body so don’t loose any
Name 4 challenges humans would face in the desert…
Temperature range, unable to grow food, low water supply and accessibility
Why would the temperatures effect development in the desert?
We couldn’t work in the heat all day, low water supply caused to no rainfall and evaporation, too hot for animals to survive
What is irragation?
Directing water flow or supply to somewhere that it can be used or be stored: river, pipes, lake…
What is desertification?
The process of land becoming a desert
How much of the Earths land is desert?
About 1/3!
Why is climate change a big problem for desertification?
If it suddenly rains a lot then it could make the land drier as it will evaporate quickly, but if it waters the crops and become hot again they will die and can’t grow again
Name 3 human influences to desertification…
Humans diverting the water leaving the old river space dry, overgrazing from life stock, and deforestation
Name some natural influences to deforestation…
Lack of vegetation, and soil erosion
